YouTube is rolling out a new timer feature designed to help users limit how much time they spend watching Shorts. The update aims to address the growing problem of users losing track of time while endlessly scrolling short videos — a habit often compared to doomscrolling.
The new feature allows users to set a daily viewing limit for Shorts in the app’s settings. Once the limit is reached, a pop-up appears, notifying users that Shorts scrolling is paused. However, the reminder can currently be dismissed, meaning users can choose to continue watching if they wish.
YouTube first confirmed it was testing the feature earlier this year after Android Authority spotted signs of it in an Android app build. The company has now begun a gradual rollout, describing the timer as part of its broader digital wellbeing initiatives.
At present, the Shorts timer isn’t connected to YouTube’s parental controls, so parents cannot yet restrict the amount of time children spend on the Shorts feed. YouTube says this integration is planned for next year, when the timer for child accounts will become non-dismissible.
The platform already offers similar tools such as “Take a Break” and “Bedtime” reminders, which encourage users to pause viewing or stop at a set time. For example, “Take a Break” allows users to trigger reminders after watching for 15 to 180 minutes, while “Bedtime” reminders prompt users to log off at a chosen hour.
While these tools showcase YouTube’s efforts to promote healthier usage, critics argue that their voluntary nature does little to curb actual screen time. By making them optional, YouTube can demonstrate social responsibility without significantly affecting engagement or ad revenue.
The update also arrives amid mounting legal pressure on social media companies. According to a Bloomberg Law report, nearly 2,000 lawsuits are pending in the United States, accusing major platforms of intentionally designing addictive features that harm children’s mental health.
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